🐚 Episode #5: At the interface between humans and the natural world ... with Louise Firth

FIRSTLY I'd like to introduce Dr Reuben Shipway, a marine biology lecturer from the University of Plymouth, who makes his Beneath the Surface guest co-host debut in this episode WOOO.  In this episode, We speak to Professor Lloyd Peck, a polar marine biologist who studies how organisms adapt to the cold. Lloyd works for British Antarctic survey and has featured as part of David Attenborough's Frozen planet. We talk about Lloyd's childhood, the reality of working in Antarctica over the years, what it takes to be a scientist and the reality of the climate crisis.  I was very privileged to have this conservation with Lloyd, i was inspired by his story, intrigued by his science and his honest take on the climate crisis gave me lots ponder. This is an extremely thought provoking and inspiring episode for anyone who lives on this planet :)  Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions/feedback/ guest ideas! I'd love to hear from you all. Instagram @Laurenpmarine/@beneaththesurfacepodcasttt Email: [email protected] All graphics are designed by Daisy Drury: Instagram: @little_daisy_99 Email: [email protected] Sound production is by Matt Oram Until next time :) Lauren x

In this episode I speak with Tors Froud, the engagement and inclusion manager of the Uk’s first National Marine Park. Tors gave me an insight into what the marine park is, and discussed some of the amazing work that is happening, all over Plymouth, to teach people about the natural environment and why it matters in a hope to encourage prosperity, conservation and safe engagement with the marine environment.  To get in touch with Tors email: [email protected] To keep up to date with what's happening in the National Marine Park visit: https://plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com/ Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions/feedback/ guest ideas! I'd love to hear from you all. Instagram @Laurenpmarine/@plymouthbeneaththesurface Email: [email protected] All graphics are designed by Daisy Drury: Instagram: @little_daisy_99 Email: [email protected] Until next time :) Lauren x

In this episode I talk to Chloe Winn, a costume designer turned conservationist who works for The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP). We talk about Chloe's career path, the reality of working in shark conservation, top tips for looking for work experience opportunities and Eco-guilt. This episode is a must listen to any shark lovers or aspiring conservationists.  To keep up to date with Chloe's work, follow her instagram :) Instagram: @chloe_darwinn Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions/feedback/ guest ideas! I'd love to hear from you all. Instagram @Laurenpmarine/@plymouthbeneaththesurface Email: [email protected] All graphics are designed by Daisy Drury: Instagram: @little_daisy_99 Email: [email protected] Until next time :) Lauren x

In this episode I speak to Matt Bell, a second year marine biology and oceanography student at Plymouth University who is embarking on the #Lastpole expedition to collect crucial climate change data that can be used by scientists globally. We discuss his expedition to the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility, funding, diving and his time at university during Covid times. To keep up to date with Matt’s expedition: Instagram: @Ice_warrior_matt https://instagram.com/ice_warrior_matt?utm_medium=copy_link To donate to his go fund me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ice-warrior-project-fundraising-for-science?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions/feedback/ guest ideas! I'd love to hear from you all. Instagram @Laurenpmarine/@plymouthbeneaththesurface Email: [email protected] All graphics are designed by Daisy Drury: Instagram: @little_daisy_99 Email: [email protected] Until next time :) Lauren x

In this episode I am catching up with Louise-Océane Delion to find out what her life has been like since graduating university and her last episode on the PBTS podcast. We talk all things uni, seagrass restoration, sustainable seafood, sailing expeditions and future plans. Louise gave lots of advice for current students on placement options, how to make the most out of your degree and also life after university. It was really great to chat to Louise because she has been where my fellow students and I currently are in the process of becoming a marine biologist. To keep up to date with Louise's adventures follow @twosealions on instagram   To learn about the sort of work that Louise and the crew of the Pheonix expedition are doing go to: https://phoenix-expedition.com/en/home/ Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions/feedback/ guest ideas! I'd love to hear from you all.  Instagram @Laurenpmarine/@plymouthbeneaththesurface Email: [email protected] All graphics are designed by Daisy Drury: Instagram: @little_daisy_99 Email: [email protected]  Until next time :)  Lauren x

WE ARE BACKKKKKK for season 2 of Plymouth Beneath the Surface!  My name is Lauren and I am a second year marine biology and coastal ecology student at Plymouth university. I am really excited to have taken over this podcast.  In this podcast you'll meet people from Plymouth that have oriented their lives around the ocean, discuss current topics,local conservation initiatives and discover why Plymouth is the best place in the world to study and work in the field of marine biology (sorry, Southampton). Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions/feedback/ guest ideas! I'd love to hear from you all :) Instagram @Laurenpmarine/@plymouthbeneaththesurface Email: [email protected] All graphics are designed by Daisy Drury: Instagram: @little_daisy_99 Email: [email protected] Until next time :) Lauren x 

For this final episode, I am interviewing John Spicer. John is a professor at the University of Plymouth and is a world-renowned expert on the effects of climate change on marine organisms. His research focuses on marine organisms and how they adapt to climate change, looking at the effect on ocean acidification, hypoxia (low oxygen) and rising temperatures. John has contributed a substantial wealth of knowledge to the field over three decades, with more than 180 research papers, multiple academic books, writing for popular culture, and advising national and international policymakers. But John has also been one of my lecturers at university, and has been one of the most influential and inspirational people I have listened to and learnt from during my degree. My first encounter with him was 4 years ago, when I first started uni when he was giving us lectures on global biodiversity and threats facing it.  I couldn't do an episode with John, as he played such an important role in my journey in Plymouth, and is so appreciated among students. So here we are, for the final episode of the series, John and I, talking about biodiversity. In this episode, John explains what biodiversity is, what are the main threats affecting it, and what we can do to alleviate our impact on biodiversity.  John highlights the importance of living a considerate life, and asking ourselves not "can we do it" anymore, but "do we want to do it" when it comes to changing our way of life.  Take a deep breath and join us for this inspiring conversation, talking about human nature, religion and faith, interconnection of living organisms and our place within the ecosystem that is the Earth.  Thanks for listening 🌎🙏🏼🦐🌱💙💚  More information about John: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/john-spicer His book Biodiversity: A Beginner’s Guide: https://www.waterstones.com/book/biodiversity/john-spicer/9780861540174 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @realdocspicer To dive deeper into the biodiversity crisis and the main challenges facing it: The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2019) You can find me here: Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

In this new episode, I'm chatting with Clare Embling. Clare is an associate professor in marine ecology at the University of Plymouth. Her research focuses on the ecology and conservation of marine vertebrates (marine mammals, seabirds and fish), habitat modelling, bioacoustics, and human impacts on marine species (e.g. impacts of increasing noise in the sea) and she is the leader of the Marine Vertebrates Research Unit at the University. Clare has been one of my lecturers, and I particularly enjoyed one of the last modules I did with her on the ecology and conservation of large marine vertebrates. Clare is extremely passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the world of marine vertebrates, especially marine mammals.  In this episode, we talk about the different species of cetaceans found in British/Plymouth waters, the threats they're facing, what conservation actions should be taken but Clare also shares with us some important and inspiring moments of her career and life. This conversation is filled with inspiration, advice, knowledge & joy.  I hope this episode makes you smile - it surely did when I was recording and editing it.  Thanks for listening! 🐬🐋⛵🎶🎧🎣 More about Clare & her work:  Research: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/clare-embling & https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/marine-biology-and-ecology-research-centre/marine-vertebrates Email: [email protected] Twitter: @ClareEmbling  Instagram: marinevertscru You can find me here: Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

There are multiple ways to engage people with the ocean... and art is one of them.  In this episode, meet Debby Mason. Debby a is printmaker for over 25 years, specialising in etchings and mezzotints. She mainly draws fish, or marine creatures. She spends hours, observing them, and trying to mimic patterns, textures, colours and shapes; transcribing their characters and personalities.   There are different ways to look at marine life. You can look at marine organisms, through the eyes of a biologist, to understand how things are and how they work. But Debby invites us to look at marine life with a new look, the ones of an artist, in awe when facing the plethora of colours, shapes and behaviours these organisms show.  In this conversation with Debby, I felt like I was in my childhood again. It warmed my heart to listen to Debby talking about marine organisms. The way she tells us about her encounters with marine life, how she describes what they look like or how they act underwater ... it is like listening to a tale about the underwater world.  Listen to this episode to hear about Debby's work, her inspirations, how we can use art to raise awareness about the underwater world and the threats it is facing, and much more...  Thanks for listening! 🎨🖌️🐠👩🏻‍🎨🌏 More about Debby's work:  Website: https://www.debbymason.com  You can find me here: Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

In this new episode, meet Oliver, from Sail Britain and listen to our conversation that I had the pleasure to record on Merlin...  Oliver is a sailor, an environmentalist, and is passionate about people. So Oliver takes people on board of his boat for a week at sea, to experience the ocean & learn about marine conservation.  For him, bringing people together, from multiple backgrounds, on a sailing boat, is pure joy. Over half of the year, Sail Britain organises weeks at sea, with each week having a theme, where people can come on board, get some experience of sailing but more importantly, talk about the ocean. The people on board are sometimes marine biologists, artists, social scientists, video makers ... each week is multi-disciplinary and makes the journey diverse and creative.  I have had the opportunity to meet Oliver a couple of times, and each time our conversations around the saloon table of Merlin have been rich, deep and inspiring. This time, I have recorded a part of our conversation, and decided to share it on the podcast, where more people can get inspired by it.  We both believe that people need to experience the ocean for them to care about it and to protect it. And it's exactly what Sail Britain is about.  Listen to this episode to learn about Sail Britain & about how we can bring people together to experience the ocean !  More information about Sail Britain & Oliver: Website: http://www.sailbritain.org Instagram: @sailbritain Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-beardon-6338348a/ You can find me here: Instagram: @plymouthbeneaththesurface Twitter: @twosealions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedelion/. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]